Africa Progress and Problems
3 total works
Africa is the worlds poorest continent, and it also has the worlds fastest-growing population. Many observers have concluded that overpopulation is a root cause of Africas poverty, and that if the continent is ever to emerge from underdevelopment its rapid population growth will have to be slowed. This book examines those assertions, offering a wealth of statistical and other evidence to suggest that the link between African poverty and the size of Africas population is by no means definitive. The book also examines the important demographic trendssuch as rapid urbanization, elevated mortality rates from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and continued high fertilitythat will help shape African societies in the decades to come.
Africa is the only continent where poverty levels have risen in recent decades, and many of its countries suffer from humanitarian crises, political unrest, or both. Knowledge of Africas complex, often troubled past is crucial to understanding its current problems. The Making of Modern Africa outlines the continents rich and diverse history, from its imposing ancient empires, to the crippling effects of European colonialism, to the dictators and fledgling democracies of the modern era. The book will provide an invaluable overview for students.
Desperate poverty is perhaps the greatest challenge facing Africa. Over the past 30 years, while the rest of the world has enjoyed unprecedented economic growth and prosperity, African countries have grown poorer. Today, more than 40 percent of the people living in sub-Saharan Africa subsist on less than $1 a day. This book explains the causes of Africas economic stagnation and discusses the many ways in which grinding poverty contributes to a reduced quality of life for Africans. The book also explores methods that current leaders and international organizations are using to help reduce poverty in Africa.